“Mom will clear every last debt before my quarterly review,” Derek said.

“Military service is for people who need orders to get out of bed.”

He pulled the car door shut, and the engine roared to life.

His red taillights reflected off the wet pavement as he pulled out onto North Main Street.

I stood in the cold night air until the sound of his exhaust faded into the traffic.

The brass mantel clock in my parents’ townhouse chimed nine times as Arthur walked into the living room.

Eleanor had already gone upstairs to her corner office and closed the heavy oak door behind her.